DRAMA

Kansai Telecasting Corporation's drama series have continued to excite, thrill and entertain our viewers with such big hits as "GTO", "He Who Cannot Marry" and "Unfair".
Kansai TV also produces highly acclaimed artistic non serial dramas. "Lessons", a touching TV film about two girls growing up without the love of their mothers, received the Grand Prize, National Arts Festival, and Best of Festival, US International Film & Video Festival, and "Autumn at the Poplar House" a beautiful story about life after loss, received the Gold Camera, US International Film & Video Festival and the Silver
Plaque, 2013 Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards.

Drama Series
HEAT (Starts July 7th )

Airs: Tuesday 10F00pm

Cast: AKIRA, Chiaki Kuriyama, Ryuta Sato, Goro Inagaki

Tatsuya Ikegami, an elite real estate businessman, is plotting to start a huge city project in Sachioshi town. He joins the town's volunteer fire corps under a guise to gain information from the unsuspecting locals. Here he meets unique and passionate volunteer fire fighters led by Sakura Azumi, and professional fire fighters who are prepared to risk their lives for others. As the story unfolds, Ikegami begins to change from a profit monger to a town saving heroI

Drama Series
Fight! Bookstore Girl

Times are tough for the gPegasus Bookstoreh, with the rise of online bookstores and e-books. As is that's not enough, Riko and Aki who work at the store, are constantly battling each other. Riko, in her forties is stoic and takes pride in her work, while Aki, still in her twenties, is freespirited and strong willed.However, both share a love of books and in this fresh, funny drama they fight battles of work, love and life togetherI

Drama Series
War of Money

Airs: Tuesday 10:00pm

Cast: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Yuko Oshima, Fumino Kimura, Atsuro Watabe

Tomio Shiraishi, an elite stock trader's success story life suddenly crashes down around him, and he loses everything dear to himF his money, job and his fiancee, ending up penniless, debt-ridden and homeless. Vowing to take vengeance on those who tormented his family and himself, he becomes a money lender and starts to claw his way back upcIn this riveting, thrilling drama, Shiraishi will not stop until he has taken back his love, money, his lifeceverythingI

Drama Series
Time Taxi

Cast: Yutaka Takenouchi

Script:BAKARHYTHM

Synopsis
Life is full of choices, and regrets about those choices. Haven't you ever thought " If I could only turn back the clock ! " The "Time Taxi" can do just that! Yutaka Takenouchi stars as Edawakare, the driver of the mysterious vehicle that takes passengers to any point in their past that they wish to return to. For a fee, the passengers have a chance to start their lives overc.Written by talented comedian BAKARHYTHM, each episode features different unique passengers in their search for a meaningful new life.

Drama Series
GTO Great Teacher Onizuka

Cast: Akira, Manami Higa, Hitomi Kuroki

Synopsis
“GTO” is back!! In this new series, Eikichi Onizuka a.k.a Great Teacher Onizuka returns to his alma mater by the sea, Shonan, to teach yet another class of problem prone students! This time he tackles very real problems faced in high schools today- student pregnancy, stalkers, and violent bullying. Here we find out more about the real Onizuka; why he always puts friends first, and why he is so passionate to teach the students the importance of life.

Drama Series
THE SWEATSHOP PRESIDENT

Cast: Ikki Sawamura, Meisa Kuroki, Ryoko Kuninaka, Mugi Kadowaki

Synopsis
Yukio Mitamura is the president and “dictator” of a hugely successful fashion business. Arrogant and lofty, he puts his company’s profits first and foremost and doesn’t care how many extra hours his staff put in (without pay!) “Employees are like pens- they are useful only while they work well” he says. His world starts to change when he starts taking a management course at university and meets students and professors with a completely different mindset. Is his company actually a sweatshop!? Are the principles he built his company on out of date? And can he change the way he runs his business?

Drama Series
TEAM BATISTA 4 THE RADEN LABYRINTH

Synopsis
Kohei Taguchi and Keisuke Shiratori return! This time the stage is set in a terminal care hospital, and the mysterious Sakuranomiya family that is in charge of the patients' "death". A radiation doctor disappears carrying with him a certain CT scan image. What did the doctor want to reveal? What was in the CT scan images? And what is the "secret" that the proud Sakuranomiya family, bound by tight loyalty, wants to hide so desperately? The mystery unravels in twists and turns as the medical duo, Taguchi and Shiratori face their final medical battle.

THE FORTUNE TELLING SHOP, ONMYOYA

Synopsis
Ryo Nishikido plays Shomei Abeno, an ex gigolo who decides to open a fortune telling shop. He has no spiritual powers at all, but looking very odd in a traditional costume of 1000 years ago, he tricks people into thinking he is a real Onmyoji (fortune teller) His clients' worries are varied and as unique as his character: " My noodle shop is cursed so no customers come anymore- please lift the curse" "My father is acting very strange- I think he has been possessed by a fox spirit". Using his charm and perception, he solves everyone's problems as if by magic! This completely new mystery drama is sure to cast a spell on you!

STARMAN - A LOVE STORY

Cast: Ryoko Hirosue, Sota Fukushi

Synopsis
Starring Ryoko Hirosue as a single mother of three boys, in this fantastical tale Hirosue falls in love with a mysteriously handsome young man who has lost his memory. Sawako (Hirosue) calls him Hoshio (Starman) and convinces him he is her husband, and the five of them start living together. Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, director of “20th Century Boys”, and screenplay by Yoshikazu Okada.

GHOSTLY GIRL

Synopsis
A junior high school teacher who has lost his passion for teaching and a ghost who has lost her way to heaven make a strange couple, but together they tackle all kinds of problems at school. Not the average school drama- Ghostly Girl is a heartwarming love comedy that's out of this world!

SAKI

Cast: Yukie Nakama, Shohei Miura, Yuki Uchida, Masanobu Takashima

Synopsis
A gripping suspense about a dangerously beautiful woman, Saki. Saki is the perfect woman. A pediatrics nurse, she is gentle, kind and loving to her patients. Beautiful, charming and a great cook, she is the ideal woman for men. But all those who have fallen for her, find themselves on the road to devastation. Is there a line between a “saintly” and a “deadly” woman?

Going Home

Cast: Hiroshi Abe, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Aoi Miyazaki, Toshiyuki Nishida

Director, Scenario: Hirokazu Koreeda, highly acclaimed director of movies "Maborosi" (Winner of the 1995 Golden Osella Award, Venice Film Festival ) and "Nobody Knows"( Best actor, Festival de Cannes 2004). This is the first TV drama series he has written and directed.

Synopsis
Ryota is a commercials producer who puts work before his family. Suddenly his father falls ill, and as Ryota learns more about his father, strange events happen around him, and his feelings for his family and those around him start to change for the better. Going My Home is a heartwarming, comical drama about love, home and the Japanese family.

GTO Great Teacher Onizuka

Cast: Akira, Miori Takimoto, Hitomi Kuroki

Synopsis
Based on the hugely popular manga "GTO", this drama series depicts Eikichi Onizuka a.k.a Great Teacher Onizuka, an ex-motorcycle gang leader turned high school teacher, as he teaches his students with passion albeit very unconventional methods! With his motto of putting the students first - he wins over his students and fellow teachers.

Becoming a Doctor at Age 37

Cast: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Asami Mizukawa, Mimura, Ken Matsudaira

Synopsis
Yuta Konno is a medical intern at a renowned hospital. A certain event leads him to give up his job at a major company and enroll into medical school in the hope of saving those most in need of treatment. At last, at 37, he becomes an intern, but his idealistic views on medical care cause friction with his seniors and colleagues.

HUNGRY

Cast: Osamu Mukai, Miori Takimoto, Goro Inagaki

Synopsis
Eisuke Yamate, a rock band bassist, has to take over his family's French restaurant after his mother's sudden death. He has natural talent as a chef, but his stubbornness and unfriendliness are the cause of endless quarrels. Even in the face of business difficulties and interferences from a rival restaurant, Eisuke and his former bandmates do their best to make the restaurant a success.

Non Serial Drama
AUTUMN AT THE POPLAR HOUSE

Cast: Mitsuki Tanimura, Kanon Tani, Kyoko Enami, Yoko Moriguchi

Synopsis
A wife who has lost her husband. A child who has lost her father.
Both are struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking pain of loss. What would you tell your loved ones if there was a way to contact them in heaven? How could you keep them living in your heart, and yet be able to overcome the sadness? An unlikely answer comes in the form of the old lady at Poplar House, who offers to deliver letters to the child's father. This heartwarming drama is a fantastical tale that portrays the loving bonds between family and friends.

Non Serial Drama
LESSONS

Cast: An Suzuki, Ayaka Tasaki, Yuki Saito, Ren Osugi

Synopsis
Relationships have become brittle, even in the most central part of society; our families. This is the story of Marie, a university student who was brought up by her father, and Riko, a young girl she tutors. Riko's mother is an adult child; an adult from a dysfunctional family who is unable to adapt to society. The two girls build a strong friendship, sharing their mutual pain in longing for motherly love.
Sensitive, tender and heart-wrenching at times, this story searches for the answer to the meaning of family love in these complex times.

VARIETY

Talk shows, infotainment and comedy!
Kansai Telecasting Corporation continues to create popular variety programs of all genres.
Comedy, talk shows and gourmet shows are given new twists for all the family to enjoy. Talk shows such as "Kaiketsu! Emi Channel", "Marco Polori" and "Janiben" are Kansai favorites with the lively spirit and machine gun talk typical in the Kansai area. Network variety program "Nijiiro Jean" brings a heartwarming and refreshing start to the weekend, and “WHO’S FOOLING YOU !?” is a witty talk program uncovering the “Truth” behind popular rumors. And we host the annual R-1 contest - a fiery competition to decide the best single comedian in Japan!

HIROIKI ARIYOSHI'S "WHO'S FOOLING YOU !?"

Airs: Every Tuesday 11pm

MC: Hiroiki Ariyoshi, Maasa Takahashi

The world is full of suspicious rumors and dubious "common knowledge"
In this new program, Ariyoshi, famous for his sharp wit and tongue, digs deep and uncovers the truth behind these falsehoods! Our investigations reveal previously unknown facts - What really goes on behind freshman sumo wrestlers' inspections? Is the mayor of Nagoya's dialect counterfeit? Are piranhas actually timid fish?? Watch and find out for yourself - don't be fooled!

NIJIIRO JEAN

Airs: Every Saturday 8:30am

MC: Tomomitsu Yamaguchi, Garage Sale, Becky

Nijiiro Jean brings a fresh start to your Saturday mornings! Popular corners include "Around the Globe- a connoisseur's Travel Guide" where mascot Jean-chan takes you on a tour to the real life and beauty of various worldwide destinations, and "Nijiiro Miracle Change", where mother and daughter in laws, business women and ordinary families are given a beautiful changeover, to the happy surprise of their loved ones!

YOI-DON! (READY-GO!)

Airs: Monday to Friday 9:55am to 11:20am

The most popular morning show in the Kansai area, Yoi-Don! zooms in on the colorful townscapes and characters of people in Kansai. The program designates unique individuals as "Living National Treasures", visits factories of traditional favorite foods and reveals eateries recommended by food professionals and celebrities!

NEWS

Kansai Telecasting Corporation is part of the Fuji News Network (FNN) and in conjunction with the 28 affiliated network stations and 12 overseas bureaus, is a leading company in broadcasting reliable, fast and in-depth news.

Evening Live Wonder

Evening Live Wonder is the Kansai regionfs freshest infotainment and news program bringing up to the minute nationwide and local news, in-depth features and heartwarming stories closing in on the unique people of Kansai. Keiko Fujimoto and a lively array of commentators give multi-dimensional views on the latest current affairs, trends and events.

DOCUMENTARIES

Since its foundation in 1958, Kansai Telecasting Corporation has produced numerous documentaries on various themes. From 1982 we produced documentaries focusing on our Kansai region, and from 2001, under our Program title “ The Documentary”, we continue to record the lives of those living in “these times”

Recent documentaries

8th March 2015
Let our Memories Live on- The Great Hanshin Earthquake 20 Years on

17th January 2015
The Faded Pheonix- Public Restoration Housing 20 Years from the Great Earthquake

22nd November 2014
The Quintessence of Bunraku

27th September 2014
The Songs of War- Their Message to us 70 Years on

7th June2014
A Lifetime of Learning - the Final Performance of a Bunraku Living National Treasure

22nd March 2014
Why Young Mothers are Giving Birth without Medical Check-ups

2nd March 2014
My Husband ~ a 90 Year old Doctor and Radio Personality

26th January 2014
Finding a Voice for the Unheard- Community social workers and their mission

14th September 2013
Touch the World- and see more!

11th May 2013
Time to say Goodbye – Chimpanzees and Researchers and their 14 Years as a "Family"

5th May 2013
School for Everyone

24th March 2013
Unable to Reach the Starting Line – the Silenced Voices of Road Accident Victims

19th January 2013
Crossing the Borderlines – The Challenge of Korea International School

14th October 2012
On the Long Road Toward the Dream- Bunraku and the Apprentices of Living National Treasures

16th September 2012
Keeping a Brave Face- Kii-Katsuura Town a Year after the Devastating Typhoon No.12

4th August 2012
The Sailors’ War – How Commercial Ships were Conscripted to the Second World War

19th May 2012
The Fate of Bunraku- a World Heritage on the Brink of Extinction

10th March 2012
A Faraway Homeland- from Minami-Soma to Kobe ~ Following the Year of a Family from Fukushima

SPORTS

Kansai Telecasting Corporation covers and broadcasts sporting events held in and around the Kansai area. In particular we broadcast horse-racing live nationwide through the Fuji TV Network, bringing the excitement of Kansai races to screens throughout Japan.

Kansai TV also covers baseball, golf tournaments, volleyball and soccer matches, rallying on the home teams with live broadcasts. We hold the annual Osaka Women's Marathon, an international marathon where many dramatic races have been run. First held in 1982, this marathon is known for its scenic course that runs through Osaka Castle.

We have extensive experience in producing fascinating sports documentaries closely following major athletes, and also lively sports entertainment programs featuring sports players. Kansai TV continues to support our great sports culture here in the Kansai region!